Sarah and I have both been out with our camera during the festivities and taken some images:

Sarah’s [...]]]> Christmas has come and gone. The Monte Castello di Vibio Pro Loco pulled out all the stops and have decorated the Commune in a beautiful manner and supplied some wonderful entertainment for the citizens and visitors.

Sarah and I have both been out with our camera during the festivities and taken some images:

Sarah’s are at : http://www.photoempt.com/Topics/Natale2011MCdV_SAW
and mine are at : http://www.photoempt.com/Topics/Natale2011MCdV_RJS

(As always, if there is an image of you there that you do not like, please let us know and I will remove it)

We hope that you have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve and the coming year finds you doing what you want and in Good Health.

All the best – Sarah and Ross

Actually today is Sunday the 4th, it is overcast out and threatening to rain – still warm so a bit muggy feeling but we just might get a break in the extended heat wave we have had…The Summer has departed, the final students for this year at the Art School have arrived [...]]]>

Actually today is Sunday the 4th, it is overcast out and threatening to rain – still warm so a bit muggy feeling but we just might get a break in the extended heat wave we have had…The Summer has departed, the final students for this year at the Art School have arrived and as I woke this morning there was the sound of hunters in the woods, harassing the poor wildlife – Hunting Season has started again. The bollards that block off traffic to the Gardens/Park during the summer have been removed, which is a sure sign that the youngsters of the town will soon be returning to school. And there is only one more week of the Summer Bar, the Torracia – which under new management this summer, has been a great success, I would assume for the managers, the Pro Locco and the townspeople.

The last big summer event was the return, after a two year gap, of the P-Funking Band. This fantastically talented group of 20+ brass and percussion musicians left the whole town tapping its foot and bopping to their rhythm as they moved from one piazza to another through the town, then performing a concert in the Teatro followed by a cena and a final performance at the Torracia.

As usual Sarah and I were out with our cameras and I have chosen a selection of 81 images of the day that we hope will provide a feel for the effect of the music on those lucky enough to be in attendance. On the large images, if the text at the bottom mentions a Canon 20D, I took the photo – otherwise it was Sarah. As previous I have made a small video of the images and for music, have used some of the live music from the  event recorded on my iPad!

To see the images in the gallery CLICK HERE, to see the movie CLICK HERE
(As in previous posts, if you want your image removed please let me know –if you want a copy of your image, I can send you a larger version!)

This August has been very hot – The usual weather breaks after August 15th with cooler weather arriving, but not this year. August, as usual, has been a busy month here in the town. We have had events in the main piazza and the holiday crowd has appeared. This last weekend we had our [...]]]>

This August has been very hot – The usual weather breaks after August 15th with cooler weather arriving, but not this year. August, as usual, has been a busy month here in the town. We have had events in the main piazza and the holiday crowd has appeared. This last weekend we had our seasonal ‘Cena in the Piazzas’, where we move from one piazza to another as we consume the assorted courses. It was was Medieval themed and followed on August 21st with our yearly Medieval Day.

Sarah was out with her camera and I have included some 140+ images of those who took part in the event by wearing costume. If you want your image removed please let me know – if you want a copy of your image, I can send you a larger version! I have also made a short video of the same images if you do not have the patience to view each image singly – Enjoy

Web site of 2011 Medieval Images –  CLICK HERE

Apple QuicktimeMP4 Movie of images – HD Version CLICK HERE (note 281.4MB ) – SD Version CLICK HERE (note 165MB )

The next big event in the Commune is the return of the P-Funking Band. If you were not lucky enough to see them the last time they were in town – this is a must! – Sunday, August 28 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm

From the Pro Loco FaceBook page I quote:

Ore 18:00: Partenza della P-funking band dalla torre di Porta di Maggio e concerto per i vicoli del paese.
Ore 19:00: Concerto al teatro della Concordia.
Ore 20:00: dal Teatro della Concordia al giardino d’estate La Torraccia per la cena a buffet e lo spettacolo concerto della P-funking band.

Per partecipare:
_(biglietto concerto per i VICOLI DEL PAESE + cena a buffet alla Torraccia e spettacolo finale–> 10€)
_(biglietto posti a sedere a TEATRO + cena a buffet alla Torraccia con spettacolo finale–> 20 €)
I posti al teatro sono limitati, per partecipare e prenotarsi chiamate il 366 7414134

The other thing we have been spending a lot of time and effort on has the the Umbriacucina Cooking School. This is the last week this summer of the scheduled Tuesday-Friday courses. During the rest of the year one can book them by special arrangement. The Monday afternoon courses and meal will be continuing throughout the year. For all the details see the WEB SITE

Umbria Cucina, our local cooking school is gradually obtaining more visibility both on the web and in print. Last month there was an advertisement in Taste Italia, a UK publication (http://www.tasteitaliamag.com/) and this month we are again in it, and its sister magazine, Italia (http://www.italia-magazine.com/) in a couple of places each. We have promo [...]]]>

Umbria Cucina, our local cooking school is gradually obtaining more visibility both on the web and in print. Last month there was an advertisement in Taste Italia, a UK publication (http://www.tasteitaliamag.com/) and this month we are again in it, and its sister magazine, Italia (http://www.italia-magazine.com/) in a couple of places each. We have promo cards and posters in a variety of locations and are continuing with the mini course and recipes. For the next mini course, June 2oth, the menu for preparation and eating with your guest is: antipasto of mixed bruschetta with sage, rosemary, deep fried onions - spaghetti alla carbonara with asparagus – breaded chicken breasts with fried zucchini – jam tart.

If you want to learn some traditional umbrian cooking techniques from an accomplished chef, check out the web site for the details of the week long course or the mini course. Or just phone Il Grottino di Zio Totò for a reservation for a wonderful lunch or supper.

SlideShowPro({ attributes: { id: "album-233764", width: 450, [...]]]> On the evening of June 1st 2011 the ‘new’ Pro Loco of Monte Castello di Vibio launched the Torraccia for the summer of 2011. The weather tried to play havoc, but held off for the most part, and everybody appeared to have a great evening.

Yes I did mean to spell that ending in ‘di’ rather than ‘ty’, but after a couple of visits to Montefalco during my sister’s recent visit here, the description of party might also be appropriate. Montefalco is a place we take all our visitors, a wonderful town [...]]]>

A bottle of Sagrantino from Pardi Cantina

Yes I did mean to spell that ending in ‘di’ rather than ‘ty’, but after a couple of visits to Montefalco during my sister’s recent visit here, the description of party might also be appropriate. Montefalco is a place we take all our visitors, a wonderful town , the centre of the Sagrantino wine region, with a museum created from a desanctified church which includes wonderfully restored Benozzo Gozzoli fresco and a restaurant named Il Falisco which we regularly visit.

Opposite the museum there is a lovely linen shop, and my sister being passionately interested in fabric, this was a destination. Pardi Tessitura is the main store in a chain of five factory owned stores and two other shops that sell their linen and cotton products in Umbria. It is a family run business with multiple generations involved, and the hallmark is quality. The factory, located in nearby Bastardo has jacquard looms ranging in size from about 30cm to 3,3m in width allowing a diverse product line to be created. A tour of it can be arranged if you are in the area for a while. Also there is, on the outskirts of Montefalco, Cantina Fratelli Pardi the family cantina. They sell bottled wine from there: a white, two reds, a red passito, plus olive oil. Tastings can be arranged and for a special treat, with reservation of a group tour, a meal can be served.

I can attest that the wines are every bit the quality of the loom work! My favourite, a Sagrantino secco, is wonderful, with a hint of the oak in which it is aged. Between the visits to the shop, the visit to the cantina and the visit to the factory, Montefalco took one day in my sister’s all too short stay with us!.

Below are a few images taken during a tour of the fabric factory:

After more than two years of being able to identify the skyline of our town by the addition of a huge crane (gru in Italian, for both the bird and the lifty thing) we finally have the view from our terrace without the crane! Can’t say we will really [...]]]>

And away goes the crane

After more than two years of being able to identify the skyline of our town by the addition of a huge crane (gru in Italian, for both the bird and the lifty thing) we finally have the view from our terrace without the crane! Can’t say we will really miss it but the first few hours of its loss, were a bit strange. Its removal also heralds the near completion of work on the building of the numerous apartments that have been constructed in this rebuilt structure.

One of the nice things about our hilltop town, is that it is also the home to an International School of Art. From late May to September each year, university students, either studying or interested in Art, arrive for courses and instruction ranging in length from a week [...]]]>

Canadian art student in the town

One of the nice things about our hilltop town, is that it is also the home to an International School of Art. From late May to September each year, university students, either studying or interested in Art, arrive for courses and instruction ranging in length from a week to six weeks. This provides the residents with an exhibit every couple of weeks, of student art and/or instructor work, an opportunity to view the completed pieces and discuss them with the artists. The majority of them are American, but other nationalities do arrive, and their presence further adds to the international flavor of our community. As is usual, Jody Joseph led the year with a group of her students from Canada, and given the two weeks of time here, the quantity and quality of the work was superb. As frequently happens, some of them were return students, returning the again appreciate beautiful Umbrian countryside.

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22nd Camminata della Speranza this year was a walk [...]]]>

22nd Camminata della Speranza this year was a walk from Fratta Todina to Monte Castello di Vibio, next year it will be from Monte Castello di Vibio to another of the participating communities. The weather for the walk and the meeting in the Piazza held, but dusting the following mass the weather changed and the following gathering with food in the Gardens was a little wet. Everybody appeared to enjoy themselves.